Watches, Warnings & Advisories for Sunflower Co.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Operating Notes, 31 DEC 2011

On the Air:
The radio was quiet for a week or so as I battled sinus issues.  It's not easy to have QSO's when you've got little or no voice!  By Christmas I was feeling better, and logged the following over the holidays:
Dec 23 - 5 QSOs, all PSK-31, one on 10 meters, four on 20 meters
Dec 27 - 15 QSOs, mixed PSK-31, Hellschreiber, SSB on 80, 20, and 17 meters
Dec 28 - 7 QSO's, one PSK-31 on 40 meters, and six JT65 on 20 and 40 meters.  A special hat-tip to fellow blogger KD0BIK in Colorado, who's now in the log as my third JT65 contact
Dec 29 - 19 QSO's sizteen JT65, two PSK on 20 and 40 meters, and one FM 2 meter contact.

National & Regional
The Mississippi QSO Party has been scheduled for February 25, 2011.  Rules are available at the Mississippi ARRL Section website, or directly at this link.

Local
The Delta A.R.E.S. Simplex Net will re-convene on January 1, 2012, after we skipped the Christmas holiday.  If you're in the Mississippi Delta, join us on Sunday nights, 8:00pm Central Time, on 147.420 MHz, no tone needed.

The Mississippi ARRL Section will ring in the new year with a special-called Mississippi Section Phone Net, starting at 11:00pm (CST) on December 31, 2011, 3862 kHz.  Drop by for a visit if you're on the air.

Around the Station:
I started using the JT65-HF operating mode this month, mainly out of curiosity.  It's a slow mode, requiring about 6 to 7 minutes to complete a simple QSO of nothing more than signal reports.  What makes JT65 interesting though, is that it doesn't require high power, and is very sensitive to weak signals, even signals below human hearing range.  On my first night of operation with JT65, my signals were received in Russia, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, England, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Curacao, and all across the United States on 40 and 20 meters, using 20 watts or less. (Country listing information retrieved from www.pskreporter.info.)  The longest-distance reception report came from RN6AM in Krasnodar, Russia, 6168 miles away.  I was transmitting 20 watts, which calculates to 308 miles-per-watt.

I received my ARRL Volunteer Examiner and W5YI Volunteer Examiner certification this month.

QSL Cards Received
W4DDK

QSL Cards Going Out
W1WAB - interesting story on this contact.  William worked in the Hancock County (MS) Emergency Operations Center in the week or so after Hurricane Katrina.  I was also there during that time, working for the State of Mississippi.  I'm sure we crossed paths in the hall or cafeteria, but there were literally dozens of people there at that time.  I met William on 20 meters, working PSK on December 23, where we exchanged brief Katrina stories.  He's got information about his deployment with other Florida HAMs on www.sccarc.info/katrina.html.
WA8RPK
KD8JSP
KD2AIP
KD0NZY
KQ0J
AB9QU
W2FBS
K2CDP
AK4AT
KD0BIK - producer of the Practical Amateur Radio Podcast, I highly recommend it.
K0DSP
W2RON
NW5P

Until 2012....have a Happy (and safe) New Year!

73 de K5JAW

Friday, December 30, 2011

2011 Review, 2012 Preview

As the year comes to an end, I've spent the last few days tending to my logs and catching up on QSL cards to send out.  In doing so, I discovered that I've logged only 130 contacts (not counting regular nets that I participate in).  That's only 2.5 contacts per week!  What's worse is that almost half were in the month of December.  I was more lazy with the radio than I thought!

2012 will remedy that.  I'd considered taking on a QSO-365 Project, inspired by G6NHU in England, who's made at least one unique contact per day during the year.  Work requires that I travel some, which would take me away from my station, thus making daily contacts difficult.  In considering my own QSO-365, I thought of ways to work around being gone from time to time, including "banking" QSOs for use when I couldn't get on the air.  I'd work in the spirit of the QSO-365 project, aiming for 365 contacts in the calendar year.

But after reviewing my pitiful logs for 2011 and previous years, I've come up with a different goal.  Instead of working on daily contacts, I'm setting a goal of bringing my log up to 1000 contacts.  As of this writing, there are 565 total contacts in my log, which means I'll have to make 435 contacts between now and January 1, 2013.  That's three times the number of contacts from this year.  I won't count regular net check-in's, but anything else logged under my call sign is fair game! 

Other ideas for 2012 include participating in contests.  I've never really cared for contesting, but I might be willing to give it a try in the new year.  It's an aspect of amateur radio that I've obliquely participated in, giving the occasional report to stations who were contest participants.  In 2009 I, somewhat accidentally, fell into an RTTY contest and logged 50 contacts in a day. 

2012 Contests that are on my "might do" list:
ARRL RTTY  Roundup - January 7-8
Mississippi QSO Party - February 25
ARRL Field Day - June 23 (not sure if I'll operate my own station, or as part of a club station)

There may be other contests to add to the list, but that's a fair start.

Other goals for 2012:
**Utilize this blog site for more amateur radio postings.  The site was originally developed as a way to communicate pending severe weather information to a relatively small area of western Mississippi, but I've slowly expanded it to include my amateur radio operations.  I'll post operating notes at least monthly, if not more often, outlining things going on around the shack. 

**Become more vigilant about QSL status.  I use ARRL's Logbook of the World, www.eqsl.cc, and regular paper QSL cards.  My logbook automatically uploads to eqsl.cc when an entry is made, and I try to upload contacts to Logbook of the World at least monthly.  Response rates for both online logging systems is around 30% (LOTW comes in at 26.6% confirmed QSOs, and eqsl.cc is at 31.2% confirmed QSOs).  I don't send paper QSLs for each and every contact, simply because some operators don't QSL per their www.qrz.com information.  I do send paper QSLs to contacts that I felt were notable, or otherwise highly desirable, such as some international contacts. 
**Participate more in the National Traffic System (info here, and here).  Not many messages are destined for my home county, which is fine, but there's no reason I can't put more messages into the system.  Granted, in the day of instant messaging and email, some view the NTS as an archaic and slow means of sending a message across the country.  But when the power is out and the cell system doesn't work, amateur radio operators in your area can get messages out in a timely manner.  Sending birthday messages to out-of-state friends is one way to keep the practice and skill alive and functioning.  If you're in my part of Mississippi and would like to send birthday, anniversary, or holiday greetings to someone, I'd be happy to help. 

**Work towards getting an Extra Class license.  My current General Class provides me access to large portions of all amateur radio bands.  Some have said that the Extra Class test is a exponential leap in information and knowledge, just to gain a few kilohertz of band space.  Maybe so, but it's a goal that I've let languish around in dusty corners of the shack for a few years.  2012 might just be the time to give it a try.

If you're an amateur radio operator, what are you goals for 2012?  Please share them in the comments below. 

Thanks to all the readers out there....maybe we'll find each other in the ether in 2012. 

73 de K5JAW

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Wet Christmas, Part 2 (Update)

The rain forecast for today and Monday has changed slightly, with up to 4 inches of rain possible in some areas of the Delta.  Travel safely over the holidays, and use caution on roads where water may be collected.


HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
501 AM CST SUN DEC 25 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI...
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA...AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

STEADY MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINS ONGOING AT THIS TIME AND THROUGH THIS
AFTERNOON WILL RESULT IN RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES. THESE
RAINFALL TOTALS WILL EFFECTIVELY SATURATE THE GROUND...LOW LYING
AREAS AND CREATE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADS. THE ADDITIONAL HEAVY
RAINFALL EXPECTED ON MONDAY WILL QUICKLY BECOME RUNOFF AND POSE AN
INCREASED FLASH FLOOD RISK.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

A STRENGTHENING LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM AND ANOMALOUSLY HIGH MOISTURE WILL
COMBINE TO CREATE MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAINING RAIN SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS MONDAY THROUGH EARLY TUESDAY ACROSS MUCH OF THE
REGION. ADDITIONAL RAINFALL TOTALS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE.
COMBINED WITH RAINFALL AMOUNTS FROM SUNDAY...RAINFALL TOTALS NEARING 5
INCHES COULD POSSIBLE ACROSS SEVERAL AREAS OF THE ARKLAMISS REGION.
FLASH FLOODING WILL BECOME A CONCERN DURING THIS TIME FRAME BEFORE
RAIN TAPPERS DOWN TUESDAY MORNING.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
THE ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS...HAM RADIO OPERATORS...AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OPERATIONS IS NOT EXPECTED THROUGH NEXT SATURDAY.
 
 
***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Message

NR 1201 R K5JAW ARL 3 INDIANOLA, MISS. DEC 24
READERS OF WWW.K5JAW.COM
ARL SIXTY ONE BT
JIM K5JAW

For you non-amateur radio folk, that says Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Dreaming of a Wet Christmas...

No snow this Christmas for Mississippi, but it looks like we'll need to break out the waders and muck-boots as we go over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house....

Merry Christmas, everyone!  Thanks for visiting here through the year.  I hope the site has been useful to you, and look forward to bringing you more in 2012.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
612 AM CST SAT DEC 24 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI...
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA...AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

A PROLONGED RAIN EVENT CAPABLE OF RAINFALL TOTALS BETWEEN 2 TO 4
INCHES BEGINNING EARLY SUNDAY AND LASTING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING
WILL AFFECT MANY PORTIONS OF THE ARKLAMISS REGION. HIGH MOISTURE WILL
COMBINE WITH A DEEPENING LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING DIRECTLY OVER THE
REGION...RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY TRAINING DOWNPOURS.
LOCALIZED FLOODING WILL BE POSSIBLE.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
THE ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS...HAM RADIO OPERATORS...AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OPERATIONS IS NOT EXPECTED THROUGH NEXT FRIDAY.


***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Wizardry: a great demonstration of Lenz’s Law!An induced...

From The NW7US Beacon:

Wizardry: a great demonstration of Lenz’s Law!


An induced electromotive force (emf) always gives rise to a current whose magnetic field opposes the original change in magnetic flux.

As the magnet moves through the copper pipe, an excellent conductor of electricity, the magnet is inducing a current in the pipe, in turn creating a secondary magnetic field that opposes the movement of the magnet down the pipe. This secondary field causes the magnet to slowly fall through the pipe.

Here is an explanation of Lenz’s Law:

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

NWS Releases reports on 2011 tornadoes

The National Weather Service recently released two reports on the Mississippi-Alabama-Georgia tornado outbreak of 2011, and the Joplin, Missouri tornado of May 22, 2011.

The Mississippi-Alabama-Georgia report can be found at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/assessments/pdfs/historic_tornadoes.pdf

The Joplin report can be found at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/assessments/pdfs/Joplin_tornado.pdf

The first report on the April 25-28, 2011 events, ranked as the third-worst tornado outbreak since 1950, provides a comprehensive review of the activities of various National Weather Service forecast offices across the states of Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.  Interestingly, the weather service sought the support and input of social scientists when reviewing these events.  Specifically, the weather service is acutely interested in how severe weather and tornado warnings are received by the community and how the warnings are acted upon.

The growth of smart-phone technology places a tremendous warning dissemination resource in the pockets of many.  Even non-smart-phones that receive only calls and simple text messages can be a powerful tool.  In the report on the April outbreak, the weather service found that "Peer warnings helped motivate people to take protective action. Nearby family and friends supplemented the warning system through personal contact," referring to friends and family using mobile communications technology to warn their neighbors and relatives of the oncoming storms. What does that mean?  It means that you are a vital part of the warning chain.  Don't hesitate pass information along, or assume that others are aware of warnings.  A number of other "best practices" are offered in the report as well, some exclusive to the weather service, but many are applicable to the public.

A recurrent topic that is not limited to these two reports is that we should seek more than one source for weather warning information.  NOAA Weather Radio provides a direct link from the weather service, but it is not infallible, as at least one NOAA transmitter was struck by an Alabama tornado.  Utilizing multiple sources provides you the greatest potential to receive warnings in a timely manner.

Another salient point raised was the perception that people felt they needed personal, visual confirmation that a storm was going to affect them.  The NWS strives to increase warning accuracy by carefully defining the warned area along the expected path of a storm.  In waiting for visual confirmation of the imminent arrival of a tornado, persons in the path reduced their window of opportunity to seek shelter.  In these cases, adequate warning lead-time had been given, yet people put themselves in unnecessary danger by "waiting to see."

Possibly the most important point to take from these reports is one that is not written in them.  That point is that you are ultimately responsible for your actions before, during, and after a severe weather event.  The National Weather Service, your county emergency management, your city public safety officials, and broadcast media can not provide you with instant, specific, and personalized instruction on how you should respond to an imminent weather emergency.  Knowing how to receive warnings, how to interpret and react to them, and when, where, and how to take shelter are your life-saving responsibilities.  

I encourage you to take some time to read through these reports, especially the sections that look at warning times, and public reception and actions based on the warnings.

Hazardous Weather Outlook for Tuesday, Dec 20, 2011

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
606 AM CST TUE DEC 20 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WESTERN MISSISSIPPI...
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA...AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS COULD DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON AND
PERSIST INTO THE EARLY EVENING AS A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM AND COLD
FRONT MOVE ACROSS THE AREA. ALL MODES OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE
POSSIBLE...INCLUDING DAMAGING WINDS UP TO 60 MPH...A FEW
TORNADOES...AND HAIL TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS. THE RISK FOR SEVERE
WEATHER WILL GENERALLY BE GREATER FOR AREAS ALONG AND NORTH OF
INTERSTATE 20.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

HEAVY RAINFALL OF ONE TO TWO INCHES WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS IS
EXPECTED TO DEVELOP LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND PERSIST THROUGH MUCH OF
THURSDAY. PONDING OF WATER ISSUES WILL LIKELY MATERIALIZE AND
LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING IS NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION IN LOCATIONS
EXPERIENCING THE HEAVIEST DOWNPOURS.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
THE ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS...HAM RADIO OPERATORS...AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OPERATIONS MAY BE NECESSARY THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.


***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Monday, December 19, 2011

Storms possible Tuesday, Dec 20, 2011

For the storms expected Tuesday, expect to see a broken line of storms move through the Delta area in the 
afternoon and early evening hours.  While there's no expectation of a widespread severe weather outbreak,
individual storms along the line, as well as discreet storms that form independently could bring significant winds
and the possibility of tornadoes to affected areas.  Remain alert and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio and
local media outlets through the day for updated weather information. 
 
It appears that the eastern half of Mississippi could see a better chance of organized severe weather later
Tuesday into Wednesday morning. 


 
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
104 PM CST MON DEC 19 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WESTERN MISSISSIPPI...
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA...AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE TUESDAY FROM 2PM TO 7PM. ALL
MODES OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE POSSIBLE...INCLUDING DAMAGING WINDS
UP TO 60 MPH...A FEW TORNADOES...AND HAIL TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS.
THE RISK FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL GENERALLY BE GREATER FOR AREAS
ALONG AND NORTH OF INTERSTATE 20 ON TUESDAY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

HEAVY RAIN RESULTING IN RAINFALL TOTALS NEARING TWO INCHES WITH
LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS COULD OCCUR ACROSS THE ARKLAMISS DELTA
THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. EXCESSIVE TRAINING MAY BE ABLE TO
CREATE LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING CONDITIONS...ESPECIALLY DEPENDING ON
HOW MUCH RAIN OCCURS ON TUESDAY. RAIN WILL END BY LATE THURSDAY
NIGHT.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
THE ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS...HAM RADIO OPERATORS...AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OPERATIONS MAY BE NEEDED TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING.




***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Update for Tuesday weather potential

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
200 PM CST SUN DEC 18 2011 

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EXTREME SOUTHEAST
ARKANSAS...NORTHEAST LOUISIANA AND CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI...GENERALLY
ALONG AND NORTH OF INTERSTATE 20.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT AND MONDAY

THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT AS A
STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM AND COLD FRONT MOVE ACROSS THE AREA. ALL
MODES OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE POSSIBLE...WHICH INCLUDE DAMAGING
WINDS UP TO 60 MPH...HAIL TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS AND TORNADOES. THE
MAIN TIME PERIOD WILL BE FROM AROUND NOON TO 4 PM IN LOCATIONS WEST
OF THE INTERSTATE 55 CORRIDOR...AND FROM AROUND 3 PM TIL MIDNIGHT FOR
LOCATIONS EAST OF INTERSTATE 55.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
THE ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS...HAM RADIO OPERATORS...AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OPERATIONS...MAY BE NEEDED TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT 
 

***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Severe Weather Possible Tuesday, 12/20/2011

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
154 PM CST SAT DEC 17 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI...
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA...AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT AND SUNDAY

THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY

THERE IS A RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TUESDAY WHEN A STRONG
LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM IS FORECAST TO MOVE ACROSS THE REGION. SOME
UNCERTAINTY REMAINS WITH THE TIMING AND INTENSITY OF THIS
SYSTEM...AND PERSONS IN THE ARKLAMISS SHOULD STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER
UPDATES.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
THE ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS...HAM RADIO OPERATORS...AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OPERATIONS...MAY BE NEEDED TUESDAY.

 


***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Friday, December 16, 2011

New Madrid, 200 Years Ago

Two hundred years ago today, December 16, 1811, the first two of several major earthquakes struck the New Madrid Seismic Zone.  From that date through February 7, 1812, four major earthquakes were recorded, with intensity estimated as high as 8.1 on the Richter Scale.  This series of quakes is the most powerful recorded in the Eastern United Sates.  Church bells rang in Boston, and sidewalks cracked in Washington, D.C., as the vibration propagated through the earth.

The New Madrid Seismic Zone remains very active even today, with at least six recorded earthquakes in the past week. 

Our vulnerability to earthquake damages are many.  Unlike severe weather, damages from major earthquakes will be very widespread, and likely catastrophic in an order unknown in our society.  Few first-hand accounts of the 1811-1812 events exist, and of those that do, most do not provide scientific data that would permit us to draw conclusions of what we might expect.  Frequent experience with other hazards like severe weather, tornadoes, and hurricanes, provide us more frequent feedback about how well prepared we are, or are not.  In the past two centuries, large cities and a multitude of smaller communities have built in and around the New Madrid Seismic Zone.  Most were built with no knowledge of - or little attention given to - the need to build in seismic resistance.  Our infrastructure of roadways and utility delivery pathways are vulnerable.  A repeat of the 1811-1812 events would likely devastate the Memphis and/or St. Louis urban areas in a way that would make the sufferings wrought by Hurricane Katrina pale in comparison. 

Doom and gloom isn't the point of this post.  Awareness of your surroundings, and of the history that exists in our area provide you the opportunity to assess your own degree of readiness.  Would you and your family be able to survive for one to two weeks without access to basic necessities?  Even if roadways in your immediate area are passable, shipment of food and other commodities may be limited due to damage elsewhere.  The 1811-1812 events occurred in the dead of winter.  You may be able to shelter in your home, but if gas and electricity are interrupted for days, can you stave off the cold?

There are innumerable resources for you to research ways for your family to prepare for disasters.  Learn what hazards exist in your area, and ask yourself how would you be affected by those hazards.  Even though your home may not be impacted, what are your options if supply lines are interrupted?  What are your plans to communicate to family and friends outside the affected area?

Web resource for the New Madrid Seismic Area and the New Madrid Bicentennial can be found at www.newmadrid2011.org.

Preparedness Information
www.ready.gov
US Geological Survey - Earthquake Information
USGS Handbook for Earthquakes in the Central United States (PDF file, 24.8 MB)
FEMA Earthquake Preparedness page
The Great Central US ShakeOut (Feb 7, 2012)

Monday, December 12, 2011

Dense Fog Advisory for Tonight, Tomorrow (12/12-13/2011)

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
236 PM CST MON DEC 12 2011

LAZ009-016-023>026-MSZ025>033-035>066-072>074-130445-
/O.NEW.KJAN.FG.Y.0011.111213T0600Z-111213T1700Z/
EAST CARROLL-MADISON LA-FRANKLIN LA-CATAHOULA-TENSAS-CONCORDIA-
LEFLORE-GRENADA-CARROLL-MONTGOMERY-WEBSTER-CLAY-LOWNDES-CHOCTAW-
OKTIBBEHA-HUMPHREYS-HOLMES-ATTALA-WINSTON-NOXUBEE-ISSAQUENA-
SHARKEY-YAZOO-MADISON MS-LEAKE-NESHOBA-KEMPER-WARREN-HINDS-RANKIN-
SCOTT-NEWTON-LAUDERDALE-CLAIBORNE-COPIAH-SIMPSON-SMITH-JASPER-
CLARKE-JEFFERSON-ADAMS-FRANKLIN MS-LINCOLN-LAWRENCE-
JEFFERSON DAVIS-COVINGTON-JONES-MARION-LAMAR-FORREST-
236 PM CST MON DEC 12 2011

...DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 11 AM
CST TUESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON HAS ISSUED A DENSE FOG
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 11 AM CST
TUESDAY.

FOG IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP LATER THIS EVENING WITH DENSE FOG FORMING
AFTER MIDNIGHT AND DURING THE OVERNIGHT HOURS WHILE LINGERING INTO
MID MORNING TUESDAY.

* VISIBILITY: FREQUENTLY ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS.

* IMPACTS: REDUCED VISIBILITIES WILL CREATE HAZARDOUS DRIVING
  CONDITIONS THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT AND EARLY MORNING HOURS.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A DENSE FOG ADVISORY MEANS VISIBILITIES WILL FREQUENTLY BE REDUCED TO
LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE. IF DRIVING...SLOW DOWN...USE YOUR
HEADLIGHTS...AND LEAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE AHEAD OF YOU.

***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Operating Notes, 12/9/2011

On The Air: 
National & Regional:
Santa Claus will take to the HF airwaves as we get closer to Christmas.  If you've got a youngster who would enjoy talking with Santa via amateur radio, then take a look at these articles, and tune in:

Santa Net Special Event W2HO - Orange County Amateur Radio Club, Newburgh, NY on December 10, 2030Z to 2300Z, 7200 kHz and 3920 kHz.  More info can also be found at the club's website http://www.ocarc-ny.org.

Santa on The Freewheelrs and The Tailgaters nets (Voice of Ham Radio, KE5GGY blog).  December 13th, 15th, 19th, 21st, 23rd, and 24th 8:30 - 9:00 PM Central time, 3916 kHz.

Local:
Stations around the Mississippi Delta have been experimenting with Slow-Scan TV (SSTV) on 2 meters FM, at 145.510 MHz.  SSTV gives us a means to transmit color or black-and-white images over the air to another amateur station.  While the images are generally routine, the technology can be useful to get low resolution images of disaster damage when other means of communication are unavailable. 

QSL Cards received this week:
K5ZRK

Outgoing QSL Cards from K5JAW:
UR8MH - Ukraine
PY3ED - Brazil
P43E - Aruba
ON4CAS - Belgium
OH7UE - Finland
MI0SAI - Northern Ireland
JA2XYO - Japan
IZ8QIX - Italy
IZ2JPN - Italy
IZ1PKV - Italy
HP3HSG - Panama
F4FFH - France
F4BKV - France
FO5QB - French Polynesia
EA8CDJ -Canary Islands
HK5/EA4AAZ -Spanish station operating in Colombia
CT1CDP - Portugal
ZL3NB - New Zealand

Holiday Humor

The Voice of NOAA Weather Radio singing a favorite Christmas tune.


Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Cold blast tonight & Wednesday

It looks like we'll see a cold blast of air tonight and Wednesday morning, with a slight chance of frozen precipitation across then northern portion of the state.  A 50% chance of snow/sleet mix overnight, diminishing to 30% in the morning.  Little to no accumulation is expected, but use caution when crossing bridges on the way to work Wednesday morning. (click the picture for animated version)




***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Amateur Radio Blogroll

I've started reading (via RSS) a number of other amateur radio operator blogs.  Here's the current blogroll:

KB9MWR - Advancing Ham Radio
KC4BQK - The Future is Digital Communication
N5FDL's EMCOMM Journal - Amateur Radio & Emergency Communications
AI4WM Amateur Radio Blog
KD0BIK Amateur Radio Weblog (also producer of the Practical Amateur Radio Podcast)
KC5FM...focuses on Social Media in Emergency Management
K2DBK's Ham Radio Blog
KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog
K0NR: Radio Enthusiast
The NW7US Beacon
K9ZW With Varying Frequency - Amateur Radio Ponderings

Drop by these fine operators and enjoy their musings about the ether.

Wet Weather Update

The advancing cold front is moving slower than I originally thought, which means our rains won't start until mid-day today (as opposed to overnight last night).  After the front passes, look for temperatures to fall through the week, to the mid-40's for highs, and mid-30's for lows around Wednesday, with continued clouds.  Thursday should see a return of sunshine with highs in the 50's, but the clear skies will mean very cold nights toward the weekend.

Be careful for your Monday and Tuesday commute, as locally heavy rainfall can result in ponding of water on the roadway.  Give yourself a little extra driving time, and get there safely!



***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Operating Notes - Dec 3, 2011

Enjoyed a good morning on the air for the National Weather Service's SKYWARN Recognition Day.  NWS Stations logged today were:
K8DTX - NWS White Lake, Michigan (Detroit)
KC0NWS - NWS Central Region Headquarters, Kansas City, Missouri
N0W - NWS Grand Junction, Colorado (Special Event Callsign)
N7PI - NWS Pocatello, Idaho
W9NWS - NWS Indianapolis, Indiana
WX0GLD - NWS Goodland, Kansas
WX4MLB - NWS Melbourne, Florida
WX4NWS - NWS Louisville, Kentucky
WX4RNK - NWS Blacksburg, Virginia
WX5AMA - NWS Amarillo, Texas
WX5EWX - NWS Austin, Texas
WX5HGX - NWS Houston, Texas
WX5JAN - NWS Jackson, Mississippi
WX8GRR - NWS Grand Rapids, Michigan
WX8WIL - NWS Wilmington, Ohio
WX9ARX - NWS La Crosse, Wisconsin
WX9ILS - NWS Lincoln, Illinois

International Stations logged today:
EA5BZ - Ruben in Elche, Spain, 4873 miles
CX5BW - Pedro in Uruguay, 5208 miles

Friday, December 2, 2011

K5JAW Operating Notes - Dec 2, 2011

Busy week, not much radio time....

Plan to be on the air for the National Weather Service SKYWARN Recognition Day 2011.  Amateur Radio enjoys a good relationship with the National Weather Service, and on-air events like this raise the radio community's awareness and interest in our mutually beneficial programs.

QSL cards are in the mail to: HI3/KL7JR, KE8YB, W4DDK, K5ZRK and NA1SS.  More will be mailed out next week to international stations.

73, de K5JAW

Wet, Wet Weekend ahead

It looks like the weekend will turn soggy sometime Saturday night, and lasting into Tuesday.  Relatively heavy rainfall amounts are expected as a cold front passes through the area.  The graphics below show what we might expect.



***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***